The Scientific and Technical Center of Saint Petersburg, together with leading universities, is working on a perovskite tandem technology with the aim of scaling up the production of solar cells. This involves creating both the cell itself and the module based on it, as well as the entire production line.
Perovskite tandem technology involves combining layers of perovskite with another material, usually silicon, to increase the efficiency of solar energy conversion. The technology allows for capturing a wider spectrum of sunlight, as perovskite absorbs blue and ultraviolet light well, while silicon absorbs red and infrared light, leading to an increase in electricity generation compared to traditional silicon solar cells.
We expect to obtain the first results for the tandem cell this year, and for the module by 2027-2028. The goal is to use tandem modules on an industrial scale to further reduce the cost per kilowatt-hour.
So far, 2.55 GW of solar generation has been built in Russia, and according to the general scheme for the placement of energy facilities, the capacity of solar and wind generation will reach 22 GW by 2042, notes Shakhrai.
There are also plans to build two stations in the Far East in 2026-2027, each with a capacity of nearly 600 MW. Considering the regional climatic features, tracker systems for following the sun will be installed at the stations, which will increase electricity generation by an average of 20-25% compared to fixed module installations.
Another very promising direction is the possibility of placing solar generation panels directly near residential buildings or using energy-generating solar facades on buildings. Such houses and offices already generate electricity and reduce CO2 emissions in Ufa, Yekaterinburg, Moscow, and the Kaliningrad region, notes the expert.